Nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune has withdrawn from the Houston Grand Opera production of the sweeping American musical Show Boat, which begins performances Jan. 18 in Texas.

Lara Teeter

Tune (Nine, Grand Hotel), a native of Houston, TX, had been announced to take on the role of Cap'n Andy, the owner of the musical's floating locale, The Cotton Blossom. Tune, who is on vocal rest, will be replaced by Tony Award nominee Lara Teeter (On Your Toes, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Pirates of Penzance).

The principal cast also features Sasha Cooke as Magnolia Hawks, Joseph Kaiser as Gaylord Ravenal, Melody Moore as Julie La Verne, Morris Robinson as Joe, Marietta Simpson as Queenie, Cheryl Parrish as Parthy Ann Hawks and Houston philanthropist Lynn Wyatt in a cameo role as the Lady on the Levee.

Show Boat will have set design by Peter Davison, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Mark McCullough and choreography by Michelle Lynch.

Show Boat premiered in 1927. Covering more than 30 years in the lives of the people connected to the Mississippi River floating playhouse known as "Cotton Blossom," Show Boat is based on the novel by Edna Ferber. It introduced serious themes (racism, miscegenation, romantic delusion, addiction and more) in a time when most musicals were frivolous entertainments.

The show's musical numbers include "Make Believe," "Old Man River," "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine," "You Are Love" and more.